Mandelson tells of his lost career

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has revealed how he told Tony Blair his career - and perhaps his whole life - would be "destroyed" if he was sacked for a second time from the Cabinet.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has revealed how he told Tony Blair his career - and perhaps his whole life - would be "destroyed" if he was sacked for a second time from the Cabinet.

In a television interview, Mr Mandelson told how his long-time political ally had appeared "pained" as he told him he had "no alternative" but to ask for his resignation over the Hinduja passport affair in 2001.

In his interview with Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan, Mr Mandelson insisted that he had not acted improperly while in office.